Monthly Archives: July 2017

Grace Waves

“I seem to hear whispered in my soul that God is always the friend and protector of truth.” Gandhi

***Danville Today – July issue: our own Thais is on the cover with an interview about her art!

*** Mary Calhoun gets to be with us for worship this Sunday. This is her last time to worship with us. Our thanks to her family for making this possible. Come and share your love.

***First Friday Films – Evening Pot Luck Picnic and S’Mores followed by ARRIVALFriday, July 7 6:30p Join us OUTSIDE for this special pot luck picnic with firepit for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores; followed by Arrival, (under the stars!), a film many say picks up where 2001: A Space Odyssey, left off. It received an Academy Award, 48 film award wins and 236 nominations worldwide. Based on Story of Your Life (1998) by Ted Chiang, it explores the spiritual practices of deep listening and free will. Confronted by a mass landing of 12 alien vessels around the globe, military leaders seek the help of brilliant linguist Louise Banks in an effort to communicate with the extraterrestrials and determine their intentions. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, It stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker and Michael Stuhlbarg. Run time 116 minutes; rated PG-13, parents strongly cautioned – some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Popcorn during, discussion after.

***Request from Martha for Hosea – – Hosea is a 53 yr old African American Woman, who I have come to know as a friend over the last year. Hosea will be moving into Section 8 subsidized housing on July 15th. She has suffered many years of homelessness. Her life has been one of deprivation and ill health. Hosea has steady income now, through the SSI program and is receiving good health care. She has a wonderful spirit and is hopeful that this opportunity to have permanent, affordable housing will give her the peaceful life she longs for. Hosea needs assistance paying for her hotel room from June 30th thru July 15th. If you would like to contribute to help Hosea in this way, please make your check out to Peace Lutheran Church and note Hosea in the memo line. Thank you so much for considering my request!

*** Health Care Proposal:

“This boils down to a choice, a fundamental choice and the choice is this: Do you take a trillion dollars and help the poor and vulnerable and the working class in this country and their health care, subsidized by the federal government, or do you take the trillions of dollars and return it to the wealthy in the country? That’s really the fundamental choice here.” ~Matthew Dowd former George W. Bush advisor.

“I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.” ~Gandhi

*** Secret to Generosity: The more frequently people attend worship, the more generous and charitable they become – not only to religious charities but they give as much or more than secular folks to secular charities. Researchers Robert Putnam and David Campbell analyzed a variety of data sources and concluded, “By many different measures religiously observant Americans are better neighbors and better citizens than secular Americans – they are more generous with their time and money, especially in helping the needy, and they are more active in community life.” Why are they better neighbors and more generous? The only thing that was reliably and powerfully associated with the benefits of religion was how connected people were in relationships with their co-religionists. Friendships and group activities, carried out within a moral matrix that emphasizes selflessness brings out the best in people. Putnam and Campbell reject the New Atheist emphasis on religious beliefs as primary cause for motivation. Rather — it is spiritual belonging that matters for neighborliness, not strict religious ideas.

*** Solar Energy at Peace: Everything is running well, Sky Power has proven themselves to be excellent partners, and you can monitor our solar energy generation at any time by going to: http://www.monitoring.solaredge.com ; sign in office@peacejourney.org and 4solar@peace. ( Select ‘Dashboard’ for monthly graph, and on ‘Layout’ for panel by panel info). Therefore our Solar Campaign is now officially concluded and our Fundraising Solar Panel was ceremoniously brought down this past Sunday. Our thanks to our Solar Committee: Boris, Chair; Arlene, Libby, Ken and Kari. Well done!

*** “Palestine Unlimited” – New Art Exhibit at Peace: This exhibit will be presented by the Bright Stars of Bethlehem Circle and, of course, is curated by our own Bill Carmel. There will be a Special Gathering with a wine and cheese reception on Tuesday, August 15 with the Executive Director Beth Nelson Chase from 5:30 – 8:30pm. Plan to enjoy a wonderful evening of fantastic photography, wine, and food!

*** Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): “Remember to welcome the strangers because in so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13: 2

What is the Meaning of this recent Ruling on Immigration?

The Court’s ruling narrows the scope of the lower courts injunctions, and will mean individuals whom the U.S. has historically offered protection through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) may be denied that protection, at least for now – despite their having been thoroughly vetted by top security and intelligence agencies, and having a community willing to offer them safety and a new chance at life.

While the Court’s decision will allow some refugees to continue to arrive there are countless others who will be needlessly denied access to the USRAP. This decision could affect our ability to protect refugees fleeing religious persecution, survivors of war with severe medical cases, unaccompanied refugee children who lost their family due to violence or war, torture survivors, and countless others who will be left waiting, denied protection simply because they lack a “bona fide” tie to the United States.

As we know too well, our world is faced with the worst displacement crisis in recorded history with nearly 22.5 million refugees, over half of whom are children. With such need, what can we do? We at LIRS ask you to PLEASE STAND BY THE REFUGEES !

“Satyagraha (non-violent pressing for truth) is a force that works silently and apparently slowly. In reality, there is no force in the world that is so direct or swift in working.” Gandhi